Celebrating the Life of ANITA PRIEST and Providing Opportunities to our Community

With the common goals of Leadership & Empowering the LGBT community through Art, Design & Education, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida is proud continue the legacy of Anita Priest and the Whispering Angels Foundation, by spearheading the Anita Priest Memorial Scholarship, ongoing.

Established in 2007 in memory of her later partner, renowned Interior Designer Anita Priest, the “Whispering Angels” Memorial Scholarship program founded by Sandra Holiday, is a legacy program that provides a scholarship for the LGBT community to advance their education in the area of Design & the Arts, and now - Education.

- You must be a resident of the U.S. & attend school in South Florida.

- Submit a completed and signed application.

- Recent photo or digital photo in jpg, gif, or bmp format

- Most recent academic transcript to be sent by the school by e-mail or by mail

- At least two and no more than three letters of recommendation (At least one of these must be from an individual familiar with your academic work (no family members)

- A scan of Driver’s License / State Issued ID

- I authorize the UC|CU Anita Priest Memorial Scholarship Committee to review and discuss my grades & other information concerning me that are maintained by my school or submitted by me for consideration, or of public record.

- Scholarship recipients will be invited to serve a 12 month Junior Board member position on UC|CU, to foster & encourage Community Service, Leadership & involvement – ongoing.

- Winning applicants are awarded a $500 to $2,500 Scholarship for tuition expenses related to Design, the Arts or Education, paid directly to the school.

Anita Priest was born & educated in New York during the Depression. She overcame many obstacles in her life and was one of the first women to volunteer and join our country’s Women’s Army Corp. She served four years as an Officer in the WACS during WW11.

Her flair for design came from her grandfather who designed costumes for the famous Flo Ziegfeld, her Mother modeled his creations.

She attended New York’s New School for Social research, took courses at the Chicago and New York schools of Design and also spent a summer studying at the Sorbonne in France.

In the 1950’s she moved to Miami, Florida where her Interior Decorating career began. She was an in-house designer at first and then branched out to open her own business. Her studio & accessory shop was in Bay Harbor and called Accent’s Unlimited.

She was way ahead of her time and had many clients including Judges, Politicians, Celebrities and local Notables. The famous Architect Morris Lapidus wanted her on his team, but she had bigger ideas.

In 1962, she founded the School for Interior Decoration and Design and opened her first school on Miami’s famous Decorator’s Row. Soon after came a second school in Fort Lauderdale.

Her mission in life was to help others. Many of her students went on to be well known designer’s in their own right. She changed the lives of many!Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Priest was included in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s who of Florida Women and Barron’s International Edition of Who’s Who in Interior Design. In 1994 she was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Gay community with a Dixie award.She was a past President of what is now ASID and pioneered many professional organizations.

Besides teaching at her own school she also taught at Miami-Dade Community College, Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami.Her thriving design career spanned over forty years. She created many memorable and prestigious spaces, private homes, famous restaurants, clubs and condominiums including models for local well known builders.When she retired she continued to lecture at various institutions and was a frequent guest lecturer for Cunard Steamship Line.

Anita’s amazing zest for life came to an end in 2008.

She may be gone but her legacy lives on in all of those she touched with her wit and wisdom. She was greatly loved and would be so honored knowing that her Scholarship will help a talented, passionate student in design and the Arts realize their dream as she did hers.

SANDRA HOLIDAYFounder, Anita Priest Whispering Angles Foundation

Born & educated in London, England. Sandra Holiday has been a resident of the USA since 1974.

Trained as a Professional Championship Ballroom & Latin American dancer, Sandra taught dance inLondon for 10 years as well as performing with her dance partner Geoffrey Clapham on cruise ships based in New York. After returning to London, her career brought her back to the USA where she continued teaching.

In 1985 while living in South Florida she partnered with Anita Priest both personally & professionally. For 23 years Sandra was the project manager for the Anita Priest Interior Design Co. and the Administrator for her successful school for Interior Decoration & Design.

Sandra established the ANITA PRIEST “Whispering Angels” Memorial Scholarship Foundation, a legacy scholarship in memory & honor of her. Anita’s mission in life was to help people, as she had overcome so much in her life.

Sandra has a dream that one day she will be able to help more members of the LGBT community continue and to advance their dreams in the Design & Arts fields. The possibilities are endless.

DANIELLE BONITA RODRIGUEZDanielle Bonita Rodriguez is the 2015 Recipient and is attending Nyack College.She made the deans list & is graduating with a 3.00 average. She is studying to be a teacher.

"The Anita Priest scholarship helped me afford to attend a Christian school where I am ableto challenge the perception of the LGBT community daily!"

JOVAN KALA HANNAHJovan Kala Hannah graduated from New World School of the Arts (High School), where he focused on hisMusical Theatre performance. He has been professionally and classically trained at New World, and wasrecently seen in “Curtains”, “The Exonerated”, and “GOD”. After suchrigorous training at New World, Jovanauditioned for several of the top colleges and universities around the country, and after careful consideration,he decided to enroll to Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University where he is expected to majorin Stage Management, and possibly declaring a second major which he has not selected.

ALBERTO PARRAALBERTO PARRA is the 2010 recipient & is studying Interior Design at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale.

NICHOLAS COWDENCurrently enrolled in Ballet Theater’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, our 2016 Scholarship Recipient has already exceeded most expectations and accolades as part of the American Ballet theatre.

"Scholarship Programs such as the Anita Priest Memorial Scholarship, allow LGBT students to pursue careersand studies that might not otherwise be available. It is a source of inspiration to receive this scholarship and Ihope to inspire others to realize that dreams can become reality."

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |

PROGRAMAS DE BECAS

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS in COSMETOLOGY for the So. Fla. LGBT COMMUNITY

BEAUTY SCHOOLS of AMERICA & PALM BEACH ACADEMY of HEALTH & BEAUTYA very unique partnership has been created to support the Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender community in South Florida through the offering of career focused Institutional Grant Scholarship directed to individuals selected to participate through this partnership.

Qualified recipients who meet the admissions criteria as stated in the BSA official catalog and chosen by the receiving entity, will be interviewed by the Admissions and Financial Aid departments at BSA to finalize the enrollment process into the field of choice.

Qualified Recipients must:• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.• Demonstrate Financial Need• Have legal permanent residence, or US citizenship.• Provide BSA with a valid High School Diploma or GED. (Foreign high schools accepted as long as they are accompanied by an evaluation and translation which indicates that it is equivalent or higher to a high school diploma in the U.S.).• Not be in default on a federal loan or owe a federal overpayment with the Department of Education.• Graduate by graduation date as indicated on the original BSA Enrollment Agreement.• Follow all school policies and procedures as stated in the BSA catalog.

School catalog may be found at:www.bsa.edu/catalog.Four (4) total scholarships to be awarded from the following programs:(1) One scholarship for the Massage Therapy program (754 hours).(3) Three scholarships from the programs listed below.

2- Duration of Scholarship:Must be redeemed no later than sixty (60) days after the award date.One-time award for completion of (1) one program.Scholarship is non-renewable and non-transferable.3. Notification Procedure:Unity Coalition must provide scholarship recipient’s full name, program of choice, and confirmation of their eligibility.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITYScholarships applications will be reviewed by Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU), and awardees will be selected by UC|CU based on merit & qualifications.

- Qualified individuals who meet the admissions criteria, as stated in the BSA official catalog and chosen by UC|CU, will be interviewed by the Admissions department at BSA to finalize enrollment process into the fields of choice.

Candidates must:- Provide BSA with the High School Diploma or GED. (Foreign credentials accepted as long as they are accompanied by an evaluation and such indicates that it is equivalent to a high school diploma in the U.S.).- Graduate within the normal time frame according to the schedule chosen and as stated in the enrollment agreement- Follow all school policies and procedures as stated in the BSA catalog.School catalog may be found at: www.bsa.edu

Miami, Florida- May 2017… One of the most effective ways to empower our LGBT Community is through Leadership & Education. Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU), the first & only organization for the Latinx| Hispanic|LGBT Community - offering Leadership, Education & Empowerment since 2002, is proud to award FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS of Scholarships so far this year, specifically geared towards the South Florida LGBTQ Community.

With the common goals of Leadership & Empowering the LGBT community, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU) is proud to announce a CommunityPartnership with Beauty Schools of America (BSA) and the Palm Beach Academy of Health and Beauty (PBAHB). Full Scholarships, valued at over sixteen thousand dollars each, were awarded for Cosmetology degrees at BSA and PBAHB, offering career focused institutional grants to ORLANDO CARTIER-SANCHEZ, LEXANNA AMNELL, ARIANNA LINT. Also, DIAMANTE JONES is our 2017 Anita Priest memorial Scholarship recipient for the Arts, Design & Education. Jones will also join our UC|CU Board as a Junior Associate as part of our program of assisting and developing the next generation of Community Leaders.Please join us in CONGRATULATING these wonderful individuals!

“UC|CU is always looking for opportunities to give our community the leadership, inspiration & tools to do better and rise. Our partnership with Beauty Schools of America and the Palm Beach Academy of Health and Beauty is exactly the type of projects we enjoy the most – empowering our LGBT community though education, leadership & opportunities.” -Herb Sosa, president – Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida

“We are thrilled to partner with the UC|CU on this program. The goals of BSA are to Empower, Educate and Give Opportunities to the LGBT community... and to make the world a bit more beautiful! - Maritza Bedoya, Chief Operating Officer – Beauty Schools of America & Palm Beach Academy of Health and Beauty.Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida’s work is 100% funded by events, private donations & grants. We are 100% staffed & managed by volunteers. Everything that comes in, goes right back out for programming, community building, leading & assisting our LGBTQ community. We encourage you to consider making a financial contribution to the Scholarship Program – or other year round programming efforts - and helping this important work to continue.

UNITY COALITION|COALICIÓN UNIDA, WITH THE PARTNERSHIP & SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, MEMBERS & GENEROUS DONORS, IS PROUD TO HAVE AWARDED OVER 50,000 DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2017, AND HOPES TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE DREAMS OF EDUCATION, EQUALITY & OPPORTUNITY -ALIVE AND WELL THROUGH OUR SCHOLARSHIPS.

The Gay Vista Social Club (GVSC) builds friendships throughout South Florida. By providing programs and supporting other local LGBTQ organizations, GVSC strives in creating a sense of community, forging meaningful relationships, and developing social interaction among gay, bisexual, and queer men.

Gay Vista Social Club (GVSC) is proud to work with Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU), providing Scholarship Funding specifically associated with their PRIDE U 2020 Initiative, a three-year Community Initiative Program & Social Challenge, to better Engage, Inform & Inspire millennials to take on leadership roles in the LGBT community to better serve, & effect positive change for those disenfranchised and under-served.

Taking Community Resources, Mentors & Social Discussions to College Campuses, Helping to create and expand Pride Clubs across Dade & Broward, Social Settings & wherever the need is – Informing, Engaging & Inspiring LGBT millennials to Lead in creating a New Rainbow of Activism, Social Change & Leadership.

GVSC, though UC|CU’s PRIDE U 2020 Initiative, will fund multiple GAY VISTA SCHOLARSHIP CLUB Scholarships (up to $1,000 each), to South Florida millennials who are socially engaged in their school’s campus life as well as an active leaders and/or volunteers in the LGBTQ community.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

- You must be a resident of the U.S. & attend school in South Florida.

- Submit a completed and signed application.

- Recent photo or digital photo in jpg, gif, or bmp format

- Most recent academic transcript to be sent by the school by e-mail or by mail

- At least two and no more than three letters of recommendation (At least one of these must be from an individual familiar with your academic work (no family members)

- A scan of Driver’s License / State Issued ID

- I authorize the UC|CU, GVSC & PRIDE U 2020 Scholarship Committee to review and discuss my grades & other information concerning me that are maintained by my school or submitted by me for consideration, or of public record.

- Scholarship recipients will be invited to serve a 12 month Junior Board member position on UC|CU, to foster & encourage Community Service, Leadership & involvement – ongoing.

- Winning applicants are awarded up to a $1,000. Scholarship for Social Programs or Projects that engage them in their school’s campus life as well as an active leaders and/or volunteers in the LGBTQ community.